McManaman, Michael -1844-1937

MCMANAMAN, OHARA

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2015 at 13:31:12

Michael McManaman, a pioneer of Plymouth county, passed away Sunday from a heart attack at his farm home, eleven and one-half miles southeast of Hawarden. Mr. McManaman had enjoyed exceptionally good health for a man of his advanced years until ten days previous to his death when he was taken ill and he grew weaker gradually until death claimed him.

Funeral services were held at St. Mary's church in this city at 9:30 Wednesday morning with Rev. Fr. Neppel in charge. Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery.

Michael McManaman was born in Ireland Nov. 12, 1844, and died Feb. 21, 1937, at the advanced age of 92 years, 3 months and 9 days. At the age of eight years he came to America with other members of his family and they located at Scranton, Pa., where he grew to manhood. While living in Pennsylvania he worked in the coal mines for a number of years. In 1872 he came to Plymouth county and located on a farm in Preston township and he made his home continuously since that time on the same farm. He was united in marriage with Mary O'Hara of New Richmond, Wis., Nov. 24, 1881, at Sheldon, and to this union were born seven children. His wife and an infant son preceded him in death. He is survived by six children, Mrs. Lawrence Gale of Akron and Misses Mary and Margaret McManaman and Michael, Patrick and John McManaman, living at home.

Mr. McManaman was one of the last of the early pioneers of this section. During his early life in Plymouth county he saw his crops destroyed by the recurrent pests of grasshoppers and the inroads of prairie fires. He lived to see the almost treeless barren prairies of the northwest develop into a prosperous community marked by almost unbelievable modern inventions. During his long residence in this vicinity he won the admiration and esteem of his fellowmen through his honest and upright dealings with them.

The Independent (Hawarden, Iowa) 2/25/1937